Patch22
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Tom Frantzen + Claus Oussoren
Lemniskade Projects
DESCRIPTION
Patch22 is a seven-story mixed commercial and residential building in the circular Buiksloterham neighborhood of northern Amsterdam. It was newly constructed in 2016 by architect Tom Frantzen and building manager Claus Oussoren, who aimed to produce a building that was simultaneously flexible, durable, and sustainable. The building is constructed entirely from timber and uses solar panels, rainwater collection, and CO2-neutral pellet stoves, making Patch22 entirely energy-neutral. Units are sold devoid of interior walls, wiring, and plumbing, and residents can choose to outfit their space themselves or with the aid of the developer. At the time of construction, it was the tallest timber apartment building in Amsterdam.
PROJECT SNAPSHOT
Size: 58,000 SF
Use(s): Mixed Use
Residential – 4+ Units
Mercantile
Storage
Owner/Developer: Lemniskade Projects
Architect: Lemniskade Projects
Key Open Building Strategies:
Hollow floors
No structure in apartment interior
Central service core
High story height
High floor load
SHELL
Patch22’s core and shell are constructed out of glue-laminated (glulam) and cross-laminated timber (CLT). To prevent moisture from damaging the exposed wood on the building’s exterior, the ends of the trusses were capped with steel, and pre-weathered fire-treated Douglas fir was used. The wood members were also made thicker than is structurally necessary in order to meet fire codes.
Hollow Slimline floor system with free positioning of drains and wiring.
INFILL
Each unit has no interior structural dividing walls or columns, and floors are hollow with a removable top, meaning that each unit is entirely customizable. Each floor has a central core which houses the elevator and stairwell, and the North and South sides are occupied by large loggias, which can be closed in as desired. Each floor can be divided into as many as eight units or as few as one 5812 square foot apartment.
Because the floor to ceiling height of each floor is 13 ft, the building can be converted into office or commercial space with no additional construction.
FF&E
The selection of FF&E is generally left to the resident. Units come with floor to ceiling windows and a sliding glass door leading to a loggia, which can also be enclosed in the winter with movable glass fixtures.
CONTEXT
Patch22 is in the Buiksloterham neighborhood in northern Amsterdam. It is a reclaimed brownfield site reimagined as a circular neighborhood, one in which resources are continuously used and reused. Residents are included in the design processes for new buildings as well as infrastructure.
The circular building philosophy was influential in Patch22’s design. Its structure and façade are made of wood, a renewable resource. Rainwater is collected and used for toilet flushing, and the roof is covered in solar panels. The building is heated using CO2 neutral recycled wood pellet stoves. It was also designed to maximize adaptability — its floor to ceiling height is 4 meters and its floor load is high at 4 kN, meaning it can be easily converted into an office, school, or hotel.
